St. Louis River Estuary Fishing
St. Louis County, 10,255 acres, 55 feet deep.
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St. Louis River Estuary, the basics
Count on 10,255 acres of water at St. Louis River Estuary, a river impoundment in St. Louis County. The DNR depth record tops out at 55 feet. Roughly 100% of the water (10,242 acres) sits shallower than 15 feet. For supplies, Proctor sits about 4 miles from the lake point. Management falls to the Duluth area fisheries office. It is Wisconsin-Minnesota border water, so shared border rules apply.
DNR sampling has turned up walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. The DNR access layer lists 1 public water access. DNR crews completed a standard survey on June 23, 2025. Walleye came in at 9.68 per gill net, within the normal range for similar lakes (3.2-13.7).
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Figures are from the June 23, 2025 standard survey, with the normal range for comparable lakes.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 213 | 9.68 | 3.2-13.7 | 1.57 | 0.8-1.3 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 35 | 1.59 | 2.0-6.0 | 2.28 | 1.3-2.5 |
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 87 | 3.95 | 4.7-15.8 | 0.16 | 0.2-0.3 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 34 | 1.55 | 0.4-4.0 | 0.31 | 0.1-0.5 |
| Channel catfish | Standard gill nets | 71 | 3.23 | 1.37 | ||
| Pumpkinseed | Standard gill nets | 2 | 0.09 | 0.36 | ||
| Rock bass | Standard gill nets | 43 | 1.95 | 0.2-1.6 | 0.35 | 0.3-0.5 |
| White bass | Standard gill nets | 18 | 0.82 | 0.66 | ||
| Lake sturgeon | Standard gill nets | 8 | 0.36 | 0.18 | ||
| Yellow bullhead | Standard gill nets | 2 | 0.09 | 0.4-4.0 | 0.4 | 0.6 |
| Brown bullhead | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.05 | 0.1-4.6 | 1.01 | 0.5-1.2 |
Gill net results from St. Louis River Estuary
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
DNR biologists on St. Louis River Estuary
“Louis River Estuary (SLRE) has a surface area of 10,255 acres and extends from the Fond du Lac Dam to the Wisconsin Entry from Lake Superior on Minnesota Point.”
“The estuary is an interstate waterway between Minnesota and Wisconsin and has 8,606 (85%) acres of littoral area and a maximum depth of approximately 55 feet.”
“Standardized stations were sampled with overnight gill net sets to monitor gamefish populations, evaluate the Lake Sturgeon rehabilitation program and gather information on other fish species.”
“Twenty different fish species were collected during the survey.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for St. Louis River Estuary (report). Checked October 2026.
Reaching St. Louis River Estuary by boat
- St. Louis River Estuary, Park Point Access2 ramps, 23 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, City of Duluth
Fishing piers and shore sites on St. Louis River Estuary
- St. Louis River – Interstate Fishing Pierfishing pier, City of Duluth, St. Louis River, Rice's Point Public Water Access Site
Separate DNR basins in St. Louis River Estuary
- Duluth/Superior HarborDNR 69129101
- Spirit LakeDNR 69129103
- St. Louis BayDNR 69129102
- Upper EstuaryDNR 69129104
Landings around St. Louis River Estuary on the map
- St. Louis River, Grassy Point AccessSt. Louis River, under a mile north
- St. Louis River, Munger Landing, Clyde Avenue AccessSt. Louis River, 3 miles southwest
- St. Louis River, Rice's Point AccessSt. Louis River, 4 miles northeast
- St. Louis River, Boyscout AccessSt. Louis River, 5 miles southwest
- St. Louis River, Fond du Lac (E) AccessSt. Louis River, 6 miles southwest
- St. Louis River, Fond du Lac Campground AccessSt. Louis River, 7 miles southwest
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Shallows and depth on St. Louis River Estuary
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Species the DNR has recorded in St. Louis River Estuary
DNR survey crews recorded each fish on this St. Louis River Estuary list.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Fish you may keep from St. Louis River Estuary
No special regulation names St. Louis River Estuary, so the statewide inland rows apply.
Wisconsin-Minnesota border regulations at St. Louis River Estuary
| Species | Area | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | St. Louis River Estuary | 2 combined total (15" minimum size for walleye) | May 9, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | St. Croix River upstream of Taylors Falls Dam | 6 combined total (15" minimum size for walleye) | May 2, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | St. Croix River downstream of Taylors Falls Dam to the U.S. Hwy 10 bridge | 4 combined total (15" minimum size for walleye, only 1 walleye or sauger over 20") | May 2, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Mississippi River Pools 3-8 including Lake Pepin | 4 combined total (15" minimum size for walleye, only 1 walleye or sauger over 20") | Continuous |
| Walleye and sauger | Mississippi River downstream of Lock and Dam 8 | 6 combined total (15" minimum size for walleye, all walleye from 20-27" must be immediately released, only 1 walleye ove | Continuous |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | St. Louis River Estuary | 5 combined total (14" minimum size) | May 23, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | St. Croix River upstream of Taylors Falls Dam | 5 (14" minimum size) | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | St. Croix River upstream of Taylors Falls Dam | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | St. Croix River downstream of Taylors Falls Dam to U.S. Hwy 10 bridge | 5 (14" minimum size) | May 23, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | Mississippi River and Lake Pepin | 5 (14" minimum size) | Continuous |
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
The pike and bass rows shown are the North-central Zone rows, the zone St. Louis River Estuary falls in.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
St. Louis River Estuary next to nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis River Estuary | 10,255 | 55 | 1 | 9.68 | |
| Golf Course Pond | 5 miles north | 1 | 5 | 0 | |
| Twin Lake near Duluth, St. Louis County | 5 miles north | 2 | 9 | 0 | |
| Forbay Lake | 10 miles west | 35 | 34 | 0 | 6.5 |
| Antoinette Lake | 11 miles north | 35 | 8 | 0 | |
| Thomson Reservoir | 12 miles west | 390 | 22 | 0 | 4.22 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Around St. Louis River Estuary, up close
Lakes worth a look near St. Louis River Estuary
- Golf Course Pond5 miles north
- Twin Lake near Duluth, St. Louis County5 miles north
- Forbay Lake10 miles west
- Antoinette Lake11 miles north
- Thomson Reservoir12 miles west
Tackle stops on the way to St. Louis River Estuary
- Harbor Cove Marinamarina, Duluth, 1 mile
- Spirit Lake Marina & RV Parkmarina, Duluth, 2 miles
- Harbor Cove Marinamarina, St. Louis, 5 miles
- U.S. Vessel Yard Slipmarina, St. Louis, 5 miles
- Lakehead Boat Basin Incmarina, Duluth, 5 miles
- Minnesota Slipmarina, St. Louis, 5 miles
Overnight bases for St. Louis River Estuary
- Proctor4 miles
- Duluth4 miles
- Hermantown7 miles
Counties surrounding St. Louis River Estuary
- St. Louis Countyseat: Duluth
Piscifun reels to pack for St. Louis River Estuary
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Reader questions on St. Louis River Estuary
How far is St. Louis River Estuary from a city?
It lies in St. Louis County, managed from the Duluth fisheries office, about 4 miles from Proctor.
How much surface water does LakeFinder give St. Louis River Estuary?
10,255 acres, 55 feet at the deepest.
Can I trailer a boat onto St. Louis River Estuary?
There are 1 public access; St. Louis River Estuary, Park Point Access is the largest.
Does St. Louis River Estuary have walleye?
The DNR has recorded walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
How recent is the St. Louis River Estuary survey?
Most recently on June 23, 2025 (standard survey). walleye ran 9.68 per gill net.
Does St. Louis River Estuary have special regulations?
Only statewide limits, North-central Zone for pike and bass.
Is a trout stamp needed on St. Louis River Estuary?
On border water a Minnesota license ($25 resident, $51 nonresident) works under the shared rules; on Canadian water the Canadian portion needs a Canadian license.
What is the water clarity of St. Louis River Estuary?
No ice-out or clarity record is published for it.
Is there a bait and tackle stop near St. Louis River Estuary?
Harbor Cove Marina is nearest at 1 mile.
Head for St. Louis River Estuary
License fees and every statewide limit are on the license page.